Christine Kay
Northern News Services

Kivalliq (Nov 04/02) - An insurance company will decide who receives bad gas compensation for four-stroke engines.

Finance Minister Kelvin Ng made the announcement during last week's session of the legislature in Panniqtuuq.

He said that tests conducted by the Alberta Research Council showed four-stroke engines suffered no damage because of the bad gas.

"The tests are showing there's no additional problems with the use of the gas," said Ng.

Nunavummiut who believe their four-stroke engines were damaged by the gas can submit a claim available at local hunters and trappers associations. The claim will be forwarded to the insurer which covers the government for all automotive issues. A private appraiser chosen by the insurance company will determine the extent of the damage, if any, caused by bad gas on an individual basis. Compensation will be handed out according to what appraisers find.

No details were given on the tests themselves, but Ng reaffirmed his confidence in the tests and in the research. Ng said several public works trucks from Iqaluit and Cambridge Bay, or at least parts of them, were sent to the Alberta Research Council.

"We don't think any further testing will change the inconclusive results that were reported," he said.

A deadline was not set for people wishing to file claims for four-stroke engines.

Several MLAs were also concerned with the way compensation for two-stroke engines was being handled.

Ng said to date the government has received 1,200 claims for two-stroke engines. Eighty-eight percent were for snowmobiles and the rest were for outboard motors or generators.

So far, Ng said 700 claims were completed. People with two-stroke engine problems have until the end of the year to settle their claims. If they don't meet the Dec. 31 deadline they won't be compensated.

Amittuq MLA Enoki Irqittuq was worried about how fair the compensation process is. He said many times the payments being made just aren't enough.

Irqittuq described one of his constituents whose crank shaft broke on his snowmobile. The constituent only received $300 to cover the damages.

"Somewhere there was a miscalculation," said Irqittuq.

Ng said claims are based on what an individual submits. He suggested people review their statements carefully before submitting them.